Generalized distrust among staff, gossip, backstabbing, isolation, and polarization indicate which type of conflict?

• A. Unresolved Conflict
• B. Resolved Conflict
• C. Interpersonal Dispute
• D. Conflict Avoidance

Answer: (A)

Unresolved conflict. When multiple staff members distrust each other, gossip, engage in backbiting, isolate themselves, and become polarized, the harm comes from issues that haven’t been addressed or repaired. The team hasn’t moved past disagreement; instead, the underlying problems fester and social dynamics deteriorate, creating a toxic climate. If conflict were resolved, trust would be rebuilt, communication would improve, and people would work toward shared goals. Describing this as an interpersonal dispute implies a problem between a few individuals rather than a broader, ongoing team pattern, while conflict avoidance would suggest people opting not to address issues at all, which doesn’t fully explain the observed distrust and factionalism.